My Favorite Song Weekend - Monster TIme

This brings back good memories. Dancing the Monster Mash and Halloween Parties. As a teen I went to mostly parties, did not do much trick-or-treating. I always loved this song during this time of year. The Monster Mash came out in 1962 it was co-wrote by Bobby Boris Pickett with Leonard Capizzi.
Pickett( pictured here) loved horror movies since the age 9. The Monster Mash song was styled as being by Bobby "Boris" Pickett and the Crypt-Kickers. Back in October 1965 ABC's Shindig! broadcast their Halloween episode and showed a clip of the Monster Mash performed by Boris Karloff. Jason at Scar Stuff remixed some of the filming and recreated this video.I liked this video because it had some old movie favorites and Boris Karloff is in it. Now that's a Halloween Icon!

It's Friday and Wow What a Week!

It's Friday, no question today. I'm going to take a break from Aloha Friday. What a week I had. The Week began with my birthday celebration and what a great a day that was. Oh here is the Opal bracelet,(Picture above)it was the only thing I asked for.
This week was filled with more emotions than I needed. I went out shopping and saw a mother and daughter. The daughter was helping her mother, who was feeble. That made me want to hug her, you see I really miss my Mom, it has been 22 months. She would call on my birthday every year. Sometimes Mom and Dad would just show up.
Heard back from the solar installers. They are starting today and on Monday plan to do the electrical work. Heard back from BGE they are on board,just waiting for the say so to do their part.
Daughter had a German Fest at her school. I cooked Swchabisher Zwiebelkuchen and posted the recipe on my Kitchen site. There was a lot of German food there. Frau only accepted German type foods, what a good layout.


Bought some movies for the 31st. We like to Watch scary movies and eat candy, popcorn and Pizza in our Theater. I do look forward to that each year. Just the family and lots of fun. I found the DVD "Rocky Horror Picture Show",haven't seen that one in years.
Now tomorrow for "My Favorite Song Weekend", I will have an old song that brought back good times...Stop by and enjoy Listening to it.

Wordless Wednesday-Caesars Fountains

Interested in wordless Wednesday visit
Wordless Wednesday Headquarter
To link up



Interested in Mostly Wordless Wednesday visit Ordinary and Awesome
to link up



These are some of the Fountains around and in Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.

(Click on each photo to enlarge)

Food, Shopping and a Ghostly Time

My Birthday weekend was great. Started out on Saturday, we went out to eat at T.G.I.Friday's. I had a Jack Daniels hamburger (pictured to the left). Then bought our, well really mine because I do all the cleaning and feeding, bird a new cage. The old one was in sorry shape. "B" loves his New Cage. Now he can get out on the top side.



Hubby wasn't feeling well on Sunday so no drive to the mountains to see the leaves changing.Maybe a trip for next weekend.
Daughter made Cakemix cookies and we all watched the"Cake Boss"marathon. What a crazy show but, it made us want to go back to New York City and New Jersey. Just to get something from the bakery. Daughter said she wants her Sweet 16 birthday there, Now that's a thought.....




Monday Hubby and I went out to yes my favorite eating place "Mimi". We had Breakfast, then we went appliance shopping. No we did not buy any. However am seriously looking at a double oven stove. Hubby want a new refrigerator,one more energy efficient. I am dreaming about a two drawer dishwasher.

We went out for diner at a German restaurant in Old Ellicott City. It is a town with, I am sure, plenty of ghostly things happening this time of year. The town was like a ghost town. Hardly any one there. A few people at the German brewery enjoying the food and beer. Jagerschnitzel for both of us. Daughter had a chicken dish with crab and a dessert(which she shared with me). Once we got home hubby and daughter give me a beautiful opal bracelet.

Birthdays are Special Days

Birthdays are special days indeed. What do we think about on a birthday? I tend to think about Family. My parents and siblings, Grandparents and long time friends. Here I am one year older and wondering where all the time went. I have post photos of birthday parties of yesteryear's, when I was turning 4 (oh I loved that cake). I remember it well, even to this day..Decades later!
I never had big parties as a child, it was always a family affair. In my twenties, I celebrated as young adults do....doing all those things a thought I missed out on, haha. The thirties just flew by. Lived in Europe during those years, the military friends tend to celebrate as a family. I was too far away from my parents and family. So the Military group was the family. Turning forty was said to be a big TADA...Well I do not remember it being that way. Was the year I became a first time (new)Mother. Some of you might remember the tired feeling. I celebrated with my Hubby and Parents we went out somewhere. Now turning Fifty..That I remember! Mom and Dad came up to visit, Hubby took me out to dinner and then back home to a surprise party. The neighbors and family all were here. I opened all sorts of funny gifts, still have some of them. Now here I am entering the Mid fifties...I feel like I am still ..I'll say 40... Mostly because I embarrass my family if I act like I'm 20.
Birthday are great times to reflect on all the Blessing I have received. I have a Great Husband of 32 years, a wonderful Daughter, a loving Father and many glorious memories of a beautiful Mother. They have all made my birthdays special for many years. I love you all.

My Favorite Song Weekend - Ballon Ride

This week, while Ruby Tuesday blog surfing, I came a cross some Red Balloons. The kind you ride in. That got me thinking about this song. Sung by the 5th Dimension in the 60's and 70's. They were best-known for popularizing the hits "Wedding Bell Blues", "Stoned Soul Picnic", "One Less Bell to Answer", "(Last Night) I Didn't Get to Sleep at All", and "Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In", and this song "Up, Up and Away". This song released on 1967, received 5 Grammy awards. It started their number one singing career in the United States. I really liked all their song and still know them all by heart!



The original 5 members shown in the video are Billy Davis, Jr., Florence LaRue, Marilyn McCoo, Lamonte McLemore, and Ron Townson.
Willie Williams replaced Townson, who died in 2001 due to diabetes-related kidney failure. McLemore retired from the group in March 2006. McCoo and Davis continue to tour separately as their own act.
In 2009 the group "Florence LaRue & the 5th Dimension" started to tour again. Led by LaRue with Willie Williams, Leonard Tucker, Patrice Morris, and Floyd Smith (Pictured here). You can visit their web site by clicking on this photo. I have to admit I like today's clothing. The plastic dresses in the late 60's were not by favorite.

If I Could blog Back Time-Fresh Coffee Served.

Lola Diner is sponsoring this Meme. Today's pick is your own choice.

While surfing this morning I saw a post on Coffee at Sheetz . A person traveling and trying to find good coffee. That got me think back to my Twenty Days.
In my twenties I was in the Army working as a nurse in Colorado. Mostly I worked in the Emergency Room and did sift work. The hours were 7 to 3, 3 to 11 or 11 to 7. Not like today's hours. Back then, in the 70's, we called a second job "Moonlighting". This was frowned upon in the Army. But as long as it did not interfere was the mission it was tolerated. The pay was not that great in the military. I made about 500 per month. With a car payment of 128, rent of 245, rental of some furniture 100, gas for the car ran about 50 per month, phone 25 and then there's food and clothing. I needed a second job for extra money.
I worked at many moonlighting job however, I wanted to write about the Truck Stop Diner in Manitou Springs, Colorado. The hours were great because I could work any shift and if I was called in for Muster it was okay. There were a lot of Truckers who stopped in. Most of them were regulars. We knew want they would order and always had fresh coffee brewing. Never went to the table without a coffee mug and coffee pot in our hands. Their thermos was brought in. We washed it out and filled it just before the trucker left. Always the freshest and hottest coffee went into it. I really loved working at that diner. No matter what time shift I worked it was always fun.
In today's economy it is not too different. People need to have two jobs just to make ends meet. Have visited some truck stop diners in West Virginia and they seem just like the one I use to work at. Talking to the trucker and handed them their filled thermos.
Yes my old days are filled with memories. Some flow back while reading other blogs, some while on the road. One good thing about memories are they remind us things have not changed all that much. There are still Truckers and hard working people still working two jobs. Diners still cater to a Truckers life. Waitress and waiters still show a smile as they hand them their filled thermos.

Wordless Wednesday-Critters Visit

Interested in wordless Wednesday visit
Wordless Wednesday Headquarter
To link up



Interested in Mostly Wordless Wednesday visit Ordinary and Awesome
to link up


Critters' visit went great. Thanks for all the suggestions on Aloha Friday. Here are some highlights of his visit.

We baked Pumpkin Cookies
Critter Loves to Cook.

Critter did some drawing.
Using a Drawing projector.

We all played CandyLand --Several times

Built a marble tower.
Played marbles.

(Managed not to lose mine)

We all went Ice skating
Critter does well,

only his second time!

Critter had Sammy with him. For his school Homework,he had to write about what he and Sammy did together.He chose the Ice skating trip.

He couldn't leave with out Climbing the tree

We also have a play set in the yard. He had fun on that. You can see more photos at my Yard&Garden blog.

She Growing Up!

My daughter decided to go to Homecoming dance at her school. I was really surprised she wanted to go. She is in the tenth grade and Last year we would not let her go. Thinking back to our Days and School dances, and our memories did not approve of a fourteen year old at one. So this year she did not mention it until a few weeks ago. Her Boyfriend is a great guy,he watches out for her, kind of like her protector. Oh yes, I wonder if he has super powers.

So in today's school there are guide lines. I do not recall any in the 60's. However I really like these:

Homecoming Dance Ticket Sales and Dance Guidelines Policy

Homecoming Dance Ticket Sales Policy

1. Tickets sold in all lunch shifts,High school students only.
2. Tickets sold on a first come basis. One ticket per student.

Guest Tickets, if available, one ticket per student presenting a time stamped guest form.
In Addition:

1. All tickets are non transferable.
2. There are a limited number of tickets.
3. Photo ID is required to purchase tickets.
4. Photo ID's are required for all students, including guests, to enter the dance.

I do not recall the dances being limited. and none of us had Photo ID's back then.

A committee composed of students, School parents, teachers and administrators established these guidelines three years ago. The guidelines are very similar to what is in place for the other high schools in our County.

Students are expected to dance in a manner that is appropriate for a school activity. This includes:

1. Wearing and keeping on clothing appropriate to the occasion which meets administration approval.
2. No moshing, crowd surfing or similar moves.
3. Maintain an upright, vertical position.
4. Avoid any dancing that suggests a sexual act and/or involves inappropriate touching.

Anything described as "club dancing." (We are a high school.)
Chaperons(both staff and parents) are the final judges of what is appropriate dancing. If a student is asked to stop inappropriate dancing and refuses to comply, he or she may be asked to leave the dance and the premises. Students should have a phone number of a parent that can be reached on Saturday night so that parents/guardians can be informed that the student is leaving the dance and/or needs to be picked up.

Boy this is what we needed in my day... I especially like the parts "...keeping on clothing...." and " Maintain an upright and vertical position." although I did not see anything on leaving the punch bowl alone, Do they even have punch anymore?

Students and their guests are to be picked up promptly at 11 p.m. from the dance. No loitering. There will be a lot of traffic so it is advisable to get here early to pick up your child. Students and their guests must have a photo ID to enter the dance.

Picking up? I don't even remember how people got home, did they even go home?

We would like the Homecoming Dance to fun and safe. We also want students to behave appropriately. Thanks for your help and support.

Well After reading these guidelines, we decided it had change and she could go. Here comes the real story. Received a text message from daughter... Can you pick us up now?... About 1 hour before closing of dance. the kids were club (dirty) dancing and the chaperons were doing nothing about it. The dance was too much for them. She said next year they will just go out to dinner and a Movie.

Here they are

My Favorite Song Weekend.-Kathy's Song

Some songs bring back memories. This one reminds me of one of my friends, Kathy McGowan. She was an old Army buddy. We hung out together and she was in my wedding party. When I got married in September 1977, we drove to my parents the end of August and this song was the most popular on the radio. The song was written by Richard Leigh and song by Crystal Gayle. Release in August of 1977. Reaching #2 on the Billboard Hot 100. Became Crystal's first crossover to pop hit. It played a lot while on the road and every station had it on. Kathy has Brown eyes so,we laughed and bellowed it out. Great times indeed. I can't remember how many times we heard it however, it was enough to pin it "Kathy's song".

Aloha Friday - Critter Coming

Critter is Coming for a four day stay. Need to find some things to do in the house or yard.
He loves to cook,do crafts and play. Is now Five..growing up fast. My daughter is 15 now so I can't remember what we did, and she did not like to cook or do crafts,lol.
Question:

What idea's do you have for a funfilled weekend with Critter?

This is an Idea MckLinky Enter your idea with your URL. Just click on the YourNext. If I use it I will give you a mention and Love link next week on one of my five blogs. (whichever one the post is appropriate for). The cooking , the Garden, the Book, the Healthy Living and this one (at home). Your can also leave your idea in the comments.


If you would like to see other links or join in Aloha Fridays, the link is the Meme Photo at top. This Meme is sponsored by An island Life

Wordless Wednesday- October-time Find

Interested in wordless Wednesday visit
Wordless Wednesday Headquarter
To link up



Interested in Mostly Wordless Wednesday visit Ordinary and Awesome
to link up



While at the Renaissance Fare, we discovered this store:
all Photos can be enlarged for closer viewing

Taking a closer look at the chimney;

Imagine try to get rid of that!

Every home needs These, especially this time of year!

Now look what else you can buy...

What would you do with them...
Here's a suggestion......

Now your home is protected!
Happy October Time.

A German Experience Today and Remembered.

Today my daughter's German class goes on a field trip. Hubby is going with them. Ever year she goes to this college pictured above, and learns more about Germany. I really loved my time in Germany. The people were so great and the area we lived in was like our Pennsylvania here in America. Stores in the towns were small and personal.
I loved going to the city also. Stuttgart was close to were we lived. Learning to drive in the city,I fit right in.
Breuningerland Sindelfingen is a store I loved to shop at. It was like a mall of sorts. Established in October 198o near Stuttgart.We had just arrived in Germany so , of course I had to checked the stores out. One could find every thing there from Clothing to Food.I still have many things we bought from there. I have to say here, that all those things are over twenty years and still look and work like new.


Hubby and daughter will have some German food for lunch. My plan is to make a German Pumpkin Soup, which I will post on Auntie E's Kitchen site later today. Can't wait to hear all about their trip when they return.